2010 Louis-Antoine Luyt Carignan "Trequilemu" Maule Valley

SKU #1127613

Natural wines from Chile? Pues, sí! Native Burgundian Louis-Antoine Luyt is leading the charge in natural, terroir- driven winemaking in Chile, working with independent farmers throughout the Maule Valley. In a country where large-scale,mass-production winemaking is the norm, Luyt sources fruit from dry farmed, organically tended vineyards that are plowed by horse and managed in as hands-off a way as possible. "Trequilemu" comes from vineyards planted to 70 year-old Carignan vines where the iron-rich clay soils impart a distinctive minerality to this perfumed and brambly red. It was vinified by carbonic maceration and aged for eight months in used oak barrels.

Product Reviews:

A must try for any fan of honest, pure wine with a sense of place, these naturally made wines from Antoine Luyt are dead ringers for Cru Beaujolais. Take one to your next blind tasting and it will stump the best of them. "Trequilemu" is 100% Carignan, from 70 year old vines. Its raspberry and blackberry aromas and flavors are flecked with earthy minerals; it is fresh and fruity but shows real substance and length. I would love this with a simple grilled steak lightly seasoned with herbs.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Carignane

- This red grape goes by many names, including Carignane, Carignano, Cariñena, Mazuelo, Moestal, Roussillonen and Samsó, which can make things confusing. A native of northern Spain's Cariñena DO, this grape is also found all over France, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon, and is also planted in substantial amounts in Italy and California. A bold, spicy, tannic grape, you'll frequently find Carignan blended with softer, fruitier varieties like Grenache.

Country:

Chile

- Located on the western coast of South America and bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes to the East, the Chilean wine-growing climate is similar to that of California's Napa Valley and Bordeaux. The Chilean wine industry is known for being consistently free of phylloxera, but political and economic unrest has brought its own source of disorder. The recent establishment of a free market has resuscitated the wine industry, and significant investments have been made, switching the economic focus from domestic production to exports. Chile produces roughly a quarter of the wine Argentina produces, and is known for single-varietal exports, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay. It's a popular region in the U.S. known for inexpensive and tasty wine. Click for a list of bestselling items from Chile.